Somebody edited a respected developer's application and released it as his own without permission or credit. Here's what happened:

• A few days ago we saw ThemePSP v2 in the QJ forums. We thought "cool, ThemePSP has been updated" and one of us decided to write about it. It was supposed to be a straightforward update: "version X has been updated into version Y," and many of you made happy comments and tried the new version out.
• ThemePSP v2 was released by "M_Roc" - but the ThemePSP project is a project by SodR (the latest official release was v1.2, pictured above). When the article came out, some people wondered if the project been passed on to somebody else or if SodR change nickname or if SodR had brought somebody else on board for the project (Urza the Tyrant over at the QJ forums said something similar in SodR's thread).
• Kristine's article was linked to an article about SodR's ThemePSP article (which had "SodR" on it) and included the ThemePSP tag (which has "SodR" written all over that); M_Roc released the homebrew with a changelog that closely resembled that of SodR's ThemePSP v1.2 ("New nicer GUI!"). From the look of things, I don't think anybody suspected theft.
  

SodR, the developer of the ThemePSP project, posted a PSP Homebrew Discussion thread over at the QJ forums:

Regarding "ThemePSP v2" (I got ripped off)

A while ago I released an app called ThemePSP which made you able to flash your own "Themes" to the PSP (font, gameboot, background etc.) and the last version was 1.2. The program got acctually got quite popular and there was a theme creating thread here runned by Urza The Tyrant (props to you!). Since I thought noone should rip my program I didn't implent the pictures into the eboot so anyone could change them and the font without no programming skills at all.

Everything was fine until I checked pspu today. Someone called "M_Roc" had just changed the pictures, edited the readme file (He keept the same file, just edited my name away) and released it under the name ThemePSP v2.

You can read the rest of what SodR wrote by reading the Full Article or going to the forum.

SodR, please don't let your disappointment over this remove you from the homebrew community. Your application has gotten quite popular, and there are many of us who want to see a new (official) version.

Discuss: [PSP Homebrew Discussion Thread]

The homebrew community has been showing their care and concern for the hapless PSP gamers who have the unenviable experience of using a PSP with a TA-082 motherboard. That's why those who are blessed with the talents and knowledge to do something about it is actually doing something concrete. Recently, homebrew developer SodR, through our forums, released Flash-Me 0.01 which is a simple flash modification tool for fw2.60 PSPs.

Coded in C and working on PSP firmware 2.60, this software is actually a simple flashmod for 2.6 PSP's for those who wish not to downgrade and/or have a TA-082 motherboard (since people with TA-082 motherboards can't downgrade to 1.5) - this app is made especially for those unlucky people. You ask what it can do. Well, first off, it can flash wallpaper, font, gameboot, and boot sound. It also has a "restore to default" option and exits if it's unable to flash the file.

How to use this one? You first install it the same way you install your homebrew -- simply place the Flash-Me folder int PSP/GAME/ folder like any other homebrew and then put your custom files in the custom folder inside PSP/GAME/Flash-Me/.

- If you want custom BG and just have one image, name it to BG.bmp. If you got more then one, name them
01.bmp to 12.bmp.
- For font, copy all the 16 ltn0.pgf - ltn15.pgf to the custom folder.
- For gameboot, simply copy a .pmf file (files over 1MB not recommended) to the custom folder and rename them
to gameboot.pmf
- For bootsound simply copy your opening_plugin.rco to the custom folder

Then boot up eLoader and select a thing you want to flash and hit 'X' to install your custom files or hit 'O' to restore the default XMB. After you have pushed either X or O, the screen will go black...but don't worry, this is normal. This is when the actual flashing is being done. Wait some time and the PSP will automatically reboot the same way as the downgrader, meaning that your PSP will display the "Disc could not be read" -error. Just Restart your PSP once again and it should work fine.

The good developer has personally tested this when emulating the 2.60fw using DevHook, and it operated without a glitch. But when it comes to things like this, you should be aware that there is never any 100% guarantee that it would work fine. So, use it at your own risk since the developer cannot be held accountable for a bricked PSP.

And as parting words, SodR would like to thank hitchhikr for the kernel exploit and the devs of the downgrader (he borrowed the restart function from it). He also would like to thank slasher for the gameboot installer. And as always, your constructive criticisms, opinions, insights and other what-nots are most welcome in the comments section, so feel free to speak up people!

Download: [Flash-Me 0.01]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

It must be a night for big homebrew releases! First DevHook was updated, then Sonic Battle Arena, and now this! SodR has updated his ThemePSP homebrew flashing tool for the PSP to version 1.2, adding a great-looking GUI, DevHook support and much much more! ThemePSP was made for those that are unsure how to install themes, and provides an easy GUI in order for you to do just that without knowing any of the technicalities.

Even the biggest PSP newbie on earth could use this to customize his PSP! All you have to do is either create a theme using SodR's easy to follow instructions in the ThemePSP creator pack, or alternatively download a pre-made theme from the official ThemePSP theme thread. Then install the correct files in the correct place on your memory stick, and choose a theme to install using the actual program on your PSP! Here's the full changelog according to the ThemePSP readme:

• New nicer GUI!
• Options screen now added! You can now complete choose if you just want to install eg. the font and the BG of a theme
• Ability to install Themes for DevHook FW 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 26 and 2.71 (the program can't install custom menu names for fw 2.xx due to a different standard between the fw's)
• Removed the bundled 'GTA style Theme' to reduce the file size
• If you try to install a theme 4 times in a row the program will automaticlly quit instead of freeze (the freezing was caused by an unknown bug)
• Updated ThemePSP Creator Pack with the correct image resolution (300x170 pxl)

  

The best part of this release for me is the ability to flash a theme to a DevHook firmware, allowing you to use it with complete piece of mind. When flashing to a DevHook, theme, you cannot brick your PSP! If you want to pimp your PSP, download this now.

Download: [ThemePSP v1.2]
Download: [ThemePSP Creator pack *Updated*]
View: [Forum release Thread]

If you're a true Metal Gear fan, what should you do to fully realize your admiration to Solid Snake and his crew? Should you wear a headband and an eyepatch too? Wield a samurai and have your body altered to be a cyborg like Raiden? Or maybe you should consider smoking ala Solid? Nope, you just have to download Grunty Thirst's self-designed Metal Gear Theme Pack and install it to your PSPs.

A self-confessed Metal Gear fanatic, Grunty Thirst came up with this theme pack to profess his rabid addiction to the MGS lore. One thing though, he warns interested users that "this download contains the theme pack ONLY. The user must already be accustomed with ThemePSP and where to put the files."

Sodr's ThemePSP 1.1 homebrew is already included in the link below, but if you want more information about it, just click here. Remember, before installing this in your PSP, make sure you know exactly what you're doing. We'll repeat the same warning we provided in the ThemePSP v1.1 release: Please be aware of the fact that misuse of the flash could brick your PSP.

Like what Solid Snake said in the E3 demo of upcoming PS3 title Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, "War has changed...". Maybe it's time we polish our PSPs to match those changes, or maybe you should try it just for the "cool" factor of having Raiden, Otacon, Meryl Silverburgh, Liquid Ocelot, and of course Solid Snake flashing in your PSPs.

Download: [Metal Gear Theme Pack]

SodR from our forums has released an update to his popular ThemePSP homebrew application for the PSP, bringing it up to version 1.1. ThemePSP makes it that bit easier to install new themes created by others or created by you onto your PSP with no coding experience required! All you have to do is create a theme using SodR's easy to follow instructions in the ThemePSP creator pack, install all the correct files in the correct place, then choose a theme to install using the actual PSP program, ThemePSP v1.1.

ThemePSP allows you to flash bootsounds, custom menu names, backgrounds, wavy lines and fonts, and is very easy to use. The point of this program is that any person without prior knowledge can flash a background onto their PSP easily!

This update is not a necessary one, but is great for those that want an extra feature or two. ThemePSP v1.1 adds a function which lets you choose to flash the theme to the actual (flash0:/) or to ms0:/Flash0/. Version 1.1 also adds the ability to flash a gameboot onto your PSP. Great work SodR, keep it up!

Note: Although this has been tested hundreds of times and no bricks have occurred when using this application, please be aware of the fact that misuse of the flash could brick your PSP.

Download: [ThemePSP v1.1]
Download: [ThemePSP creator pack]

Legendary PSP developer SodR, who brought us homebrew applications like Pimp my PSP and PSP Automatic Homebrew Installer has created a theme installer for the PSP, enabling ordinary Joe Bloggs with no PSP coding experience to customize his PSP! All you have to do is create a theme using SodR's easy to follow instructions in the ThemePSP creator pack, install all the correct files in the correct place, then choose a theme to install using the actual PSP program, ThemePSP.

Functions of ThemePSP:

• Can flash: Bootsound, Custom menu names, backgrounds, WavyLines effect and custom font to the flash.
• User-friendly interface
• Nice progress bar while flashing (easy to understand how much has been flashed and how much there is left)
• Music while flashing! (just like Pimp My PSP and GTA Style PSP)
• Easy to create your own themes
• The Theme doesn't need to flash everything. Eg. you can create a theme that only flashes a custom BG and font without problems.
• Comes bundled with the 'Pimp my PSP' theme, the 'GTA Style PSP' theme (by kozine) and the 'original XMB' Theme

As with all programs that write to flash memory, be careful with this application! Although it has been tested and no bricks have occurred you can never be too sure. SodR cannot be held responsible for any damage to your PSP, use at your own risk and take heed of the "Don't turn off your PSP" warning whilst the program is writing to flash memory!

Any themes you have made can be posted in the official ThemePSP release thread for others to use if it has been tested beforehand.

SodR would also like to thank Homer for all his help during the development of ThemePSP!

Download: [ThemePSP v1.0]
Download: [ThemePSP Creator pack]

If you don't believe all of Jack Thompson's talks and believe that Grand Theft Auto is one of the best titles ever to to grace the gaming scene, here's a way to show your love of the game. Kozine from our forums shares with us this flash mod that turns your PSP GTA-style, from font to background boot sound to the XMB menu. He compares this application to Pimp My PSP by SodR, who has already tested this GTA Style PSP.

Testing on MPH Firmware Launcher, SodR encountered no brick at the end of v1.00. However, kozine still highlights the following words from the readme file: "You, yourself chose to use this program. If it bricks your PSP its your own fault for choosing to use the program. To make sure you don't brick your PSP while flashing the new files to the flash, DO NOT REMOVE THE MEMORY STICK!! If this does brick your PSP, you cannot come to me and start saying that I bricked your PSP due to the fact you chose to use this program."

Now if you're not so crazy about GTA, you can always select the 'restore' option in the main menu to reflash all the default settings of your PSP.

If you have any comments and /or suggestions, kozine welcomes your feedback.

Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]
Download: [GTA Style PSP v1.00]

SodR has released PSPAlarm v0.1, which as the name implies is a simple tool that acts as a regular alarm clock. Simply select what time you wish to be alerted and you can even have it play your favorite MP3 sound/song.

Functions:

• Gets the time from the xmb clock
• Refreshes the clock once a second
• User can use his/her own MP3 file as the alarm (this must be placed in the same directory as the EBOOT and named "wakeup.mp3"
  

SodR has indicated that in future versions he plans to implement a GUI interface.

Download [PSPAlarm v0.1]
Forum Release Thread [PSP Development Forum]

You waited for it long enough and SodR is not the one to disappoint! His updated PSPAHI v2.0 is here at last. The new version sports a better looking GUI. That's only for starters. Some of the changes include:

• Copies the whole directory along with the eboot
• The installing process is now split up into 5 easy-to-understand steps
• While installing the Downgrader or the 2.0 update, the program now downloads the eboots instead of just copy
• them from the harddrive (reducing size of the app from 32mb to 5mb)
• You can now install the app wherever you like
• Fail-proof installation of the homebrew if you follow the instructions correctly

PSPAHI is a tool that helps clueless newbies unsure of where to put homebrew by installing it automatically. SodR also says this is a great homebrew for lazy bones. But lazy newbies are the ones who will get the most out this!

Download: [PSP Automatic Homebrew Installer v2.0]